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Spitz スピッツ | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | |
| Website | spitz-web |
Spitz (スピッツ, Supittsu) is a Japanese rock band. The group was originally formed in 1987 by four art school students in Tokyo; it consists of Masamune Kusano (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Tetsuya Miwa (lead guitar), Akihiro Tamura (bass guitar), and Tatsuo Sakiyama (drums).[1]
In March 1991, Spitz released their first single "Hibari no Kokoro" and the self-titled debut album simultaneously on Polydor Records.[2] Although their early efforts failed to attract public attention, the band eventually came into prominence with the single "Robinson" being released in April 1995 and selling in excess of 1.6 million copies in Japan.[3] It was followed by their 6th studio album Hachimitsu, which was released in the same year and achieved mainstream success, immediately topping the Japanese Oricon chart and selling approximately 1.7 million copies to date.[4] It earned the Best Album category in the 37th Japan Record Awards by the Japanese Composers Association on New Year's Eve of 1995, and received a quadruple platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of Japan in 1997.[5][6]
After their breakthrough in the mid 1990s, Spitz has sustained commercial success in Japanese market for nearly 20 years. They have been listed in the top 30 of the best-selling music acts in history of the Japanese record charts, having sold over 20.8 million copies albums and singles domestically as of December 2013.[7][8]
Throughout their recording career, the band have released 15 studio albums and 38 physical singles to date. They have consistently maintained a jangly pop/rock style of music, featuring arpeggiated guitar work influenced by Donovan. They are also noted for their melodic compositions, symbolic lyrics, and clear high-pitched vocals by the group's chief singer-songwriter Kusano.[9]
- ^ ナタリー – スピッツのプロフィール [natalie.mu : Artist Biography: Spitz]. natalie.mu (in Japanese). Retrieved May 5, 2014.
- ^ "スピッツ 作品情報 (CD) – goo 音楽" [Spitz: Release History (CDs): goo Music]. goo.ne.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved September 24, 2013.
- ^ Single Chart-Book Complete Edition 1968-2010 オリコン・シングル・チャートブック(完全版) [Single Chart Book: Complete Edition 1968–2010] (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2011. ISBN 978-4-87131-088-8.
- ^ オリコン・アルバム・チャートブック(完全版) [Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005]. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ 第37回日本レコード大賞 [The 37th Record Awards Winners]. jacompa.jp (in Japanese). Japanese Composers Association. Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
- ^ "RIAJ > The Record > June 1997 > Certified Awards (April 1997)" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved May 3, 2014.
- ^ Yamamoto, Takao (producer) (March 29, 2013). "ミュージックステーション2時間スペシャル アーティスト総売上ランキング". Music Station (in Japanese). All-Nippon News Network. TV Asahi.Note: TV show reported that Spitz has sold 20,680,000 units records up until March 2013, based on the cumulative sales on the Oricon charts.
- ^ "オリコン2013年 年間 音楽＆映像ランキング-ORICON STYLE" [Oricon Year-end: Best-Selling Music and Video Rankings 2013]. oricon.co.jp. Oricon. December 15, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
- ^ "【合評】スピッツ『小さな生き物』（Universal） – COOKIE SCENE" [Review: Spitz Chiisana Ikimono (Universal J)]. cookiescene.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved May 5, 2014.